Cubs' Javier Baez strong contender for Silver Slugger Award

Javier Baez’s defensive versatility may cost him a shot at earning a Gold Glove Award — his major individual goal entering the 2018 season — but he is in the running for another award.

Baez, who hit his 32nd home run Monday night in helping lead the Cubs to a 5-1 win over the Diamondbacks, was listed as one of four second base candidates for the Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award given to the top offensive player at each position.

Baez was joined on the “watch list” at second base by Scooter Gennett of the Reds, Asdrubal Cabrera of the Phillies and Ozzie Albies of the Braves.

The winners at each position are selected by a vote of opposing managers and coaches. Multiple offensive statistics — including batting average, home runs, RBIs and OPS — and evaluations of a player’s overall offensive value, such as walks, stolen bases, moving runners and working counts, are taken into consideration.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo and catcher Willson Contreras also are mentioned on the NL watch list at their positions.